Workpiece supporting and feeding mechanism



Nov. 4, 1952 A. E. DRISSNER WORKPIECE SUPPORTING AND FEEDING MECHANISMFiled April 15, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet l Q 1952 A. E. DRISSNER 2,616,157

WORKPIEICE SUPPORTING AND FEEDING MECHANISM Filed April 15, 1948 6Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 4, 1952 A. E. DRISSNER 2,615,157

WORKPIECE SUPPORTING AND FEEDING MECHANISM Filed April 15, 1948 6Sheets-Sheet 3 1. -//7NVENTOR. In

BY EDI-15s ner mi M m 25,14

Nov. 4, 1952 A. E. DRISSNER 2,616,157

WORKPIECE SUPPORTING AND FEEDING MECHANISM Filed April 15, 1948 aSheets-Sheet 4 v INVENTOR J 4 4 w M M Nov. 4, 1952 A. E. DRISSNER2,616,157

WORKPIECE SUPPORTING AND FEEDING MECHANISM Filed April 15, 1948 6Sheets-Sheet 5 ]N VEN TOR.

fllfre'clEDrissner Nov. 4, 1952 A. E. DRISSNER 2,616,157

WORKPIECE SUPPORTING AND FEEDING MECHANISM Filed April 15, 1948 6SheetsSheet 6 o 2o I00 I40 \50 z 240 2 300 a 34c :50 STOCK s mi MAC TOP1 7 ST P El CYCLE STOP mops smv I 5 5 5 V C l5.. 0 cnucmuc. A9 JEfik u Ia 0 I o 1 E I: STOCK -s cm FEED FEED JV Q 935; we a FEED l l l I I l l IIN V EN TOR.

Patented Nov. 4, 1952 WORKPIECE- surronrmo AND FEEDING MECHANISM AlfredE. Drissner, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to The National Acme Company, acorporation of Ohio Application April 15, 1948, Serial No. 21,257

8 Claims.

My invention relates in general to an automatic spindle machine capableof rotating and working an elongated and warped workpiece, and inparticular to the workpiece supporting and feeding mechanism of thespindle machine.

Many various spindle machines have been constructed in which theworkpiece is fed endwise through the spindle or the head of the machine.These machines, however, have never been capable of handling largeworkpieces which may be warped. The previous spindle-fed automaticmachines have been constructed for'making bolts or other similar smalldiameter articles. When the workpiece is small in diameter it is veryeasy to construct a supporting structure for supp-orting the part of theworkpiece which extends out of the head of the machine. large diameterworkpiece is used the simple supporting structure, which is commonly aring through which the workpiece extends, is inadequate and soon becomesdamaged. I have constructed a supporting structure which will supportthis workpiece and which will permit the tail end of the workpiece towhip about While'it is rotating. My supporting structure has supported asolid workpiece of 12 inches in diameter which was warped from inch toinch in its diameter. It can be easily seen that rotating an elongatedworkpiece of these dimensions with only one end of the workpiece chucked will cause the tail end to build up tremendous whipping power. Afterthe workpiece has built up a .ro-' tational and whipping momentum, itwould soon pound to pieces a lead lined sleeve or othersimi larcushioned support sleeve. I have discovered the structure which isdescribed and claimed herein.

One or the objects of my invention isthere fore to provide asinglespindle bar machine capable of handling elongated and warped largediameter workpieces. g

Another object ofmy invention is'to provide a spindle machine with achucking c'ollet'and a feeding mechanism to feed the workpiece endwisethrough the spindle and into the chucking collet.

Another object of my invention is to provide a supporting structure inwhich the workpiece engaging sleeve thereof can move reciprocallytowards and away from the chucking colletv and thereby move theworkpiece endwise into the chucking collet.

Another object of my invention is to provide a However, when a i 2 barmachine with a supporting structure which will support the whipping tailend of an elongated warped workpiece while it is rotating.

A further object of my invention is to provide a mechanism for rotatablysupporting an elongated and warped workpiece in a rotary spindle with asupporting socket carried by supporting track means and disposed inaxial alignment with the spindle, and means in this socket to engage thewarped workpiece and movable with the whipping movement of theworkpiece. Another object of my invention is to provide a machine havinga rotaryspindle with a chucking collet and a workpiece support and feedmeans for feeding the workpiece endwise into the chucking collet withsynchronized cam means to open the chucking collet when the workpiece isbeing fed therein.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of m invention may be had byreferring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 of my drawings is aperspective view of a spindle machine showing my workpiece support andfeed mechanism;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the back of this same machine showingthe stock stop and various cutting tools; I I Figure 3 is an enlargedside-elevational view with certain parts shown in cross section to 11-lustrate the rotary spindle with the chucking; collet and the workpiecesupport and feed mechanism; r Figure 4 is a view along the line 4-4 ofFig Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the workpiece supportmechanism showin the position of the bearing unit in the supportingsocket while'a perfectly straight workpiece is being supported;

Figure 6 is an'enl'arged exaggerated view the same as Figure 5,illustrating the position of the bearing unit in the supporting socketwh'ile,sup-' porting a Warped workpiece; Figure 7 is also an enlargedfragmentary view illustrating how the bearing unit may be'forced intothe supporting socket by a warped work: piece; V 1 i Figure 8 is aschematic drawing to better. 'il-f lustrate the operation of the supportand feed mechanism in synchronism with the rotary spindle and chuckingcollet; and 1 Figure 9 is a cam'diagr'amof the cycleoto'peration of mymachine." j

I have designated my single spindle machine which I have constructed andsuccessfully operated, as having a head structure 10 and a back housingstructure l'l mounted on a base l2. The head structure I supports arotary spindle I? having a chuckin collet 21. Cut-off and forming toolsM, which are shown in perspective in Figure 2, are disposed on the sidesof the head structure andjnear the chucking collet 21. In thedescription of my machine I am not describing these tools, since they inno way aifect the operation or construction of my workpiece support andfeeding mechanism 13 or its association with the rotary spindle andchucking collet. Therefore, these Working tools may be of any suitabledesign and construction commonly known in the art of automatic machines,and the operation thereof may be controlled by any suitable means. Thehead structure I0 may be of any suitable housing construction and; isdesigned to rotatably support the rotary spindle which extendstherethrough.

"I'hav'e designated the workpiece support and feed mechanism with thenumber l3. As is illustrated' Figure lof my drawings, this workpiecesupport and feed mechanism '13, which is suppdrtdby the head structurel0 and the back housing structure ll is operable to support an elongatedand warped workpiece'while'it is being rotated by the rotaryspindlelT-disposed'within the head structure 10. The workpiece isforwarded endwise through the rotary spindle and into the chuckingcollet 21 for machining by the 1061's l l'illu'st'rated in perspectivein Figure 2. The workpiece may be said to have'a forward end-portionwhich extends through the head'of the machine and is engaged by theworking tool, and to have a 'tail-erid'which is'supportecl bytheworkpiece support and feed mechanism 13. The head structure [0 of mymachine has a front Wall l5 and'a back wall It. Thefront wall l5 J'i'snext adjacent the cutting tools 14 which are shown in perspective in"Figur e2. The back wall l6fis substa'ntially parallel to the back housingstructure "I I, anon spaced therefrom. The front wall ['5 andthe'backwa'll'lfi have 'an'aligned opening through which'the rotary"spindle ll eateries, This rotaryspindle,'-including' all of itscomponent parts;'is best illustrated 'in the Figure 3 of the drawings."reconstruct this" rotary spindle 'il' which is illustrated in crosssection in'Figure' 3, I have usedla 'spindleshell '28 whichextendsthrough the headstructu're" 18' and is 'bearinged inthe openingsin thefront wall l5 and the back wall 16; insert "2| having a cam face'22 on the inside thereof is drivingly fastened in the forward'endo'f'the spindleisliell '20 by adrive pin23 oi other'suitabliheajhs." This insert 2"Ijis usually constructed or a'liardenedsteeltoresist wearing caused by'the operation of the chucking collet. "I

have found it very advisable to use'tapere'd roller bari n'giaoesffl torotatably'suppbr't the spindle Shell ZUintI'iefrCint wan l5 and in theback wall I6 of the head'st'ruc'ture' f0. The'tapered roller bearingraces prevent 'e'ndwise play of the rotary spindle in the he'afdfwithouthaving any high fricen shoulders rubbingaga inst 'each other: 'Theseroller bearing races 24- are a standard roller bear ing race unit whichwill rotatably support" the s indle in the head, and 'atfthe same timeprevent endwise'pl'a'y or movement of thespindle. Itis understood thatany "suitable bearing means may be employed for'this purpose."

'I' have fastened a'dr'i've gear '2 5; to the spindle shell by means ofa key'whichi's illustrated as being disposed between the spindle shell20 and the drive gear 25. This drive gear 25 may be gearingly connectedto the electric motor or other drive means for rotating a rotary spindle[1. In the machine which I have constructed, I place this drive gear onthe spindle shell 20 and between the front wall I5 and the back wall 16of the head structure IO. Thus, th'e driving of the spindle iscompletely enclosed by the head structure and is disposed between thetapered roller bearing races 24 which bearingly support the spindleshell 20. A collet 21 having a cam face 28 to engage the cam face 22 ofthe spindle shell 20 is inserted into the spindle shell 20. Thischucking collet 21 is adapted for endwise movement of the spindle shell,and when forced into the spindle shell closes onto a workpiece which isinserted therein. The collet cam face 28-and the cam face 22 on thespindle shell 00- operate to radially contract the collet 21 when it isaxiallymoved. I have found it very advisable' to provide the collet 21.withfpads 29 on the inside surface thereof. These pads 29 may be easilychanged; and their "dimensions are controlled bythesize of the workpiecewhich is to be machinedJFor example, for 'a large diameter workpiece avery thin pad'29 would be used, and for a small "diameter workpiece athick pad 29 would be used.

' 'I have provided the collet 21 with a col-let tube 30threadedthereon'and extending through the back 'wallj'l6 ofthe' head"structure [0. 'This collet tube '30'interc'o'nnect's' the collet 2]and'a spring typ'e chucking' mechanism 3| therein, whichnormally urgesthe collet tube 30 and the collet 21' therewith endwise for gripping aworkpiece inserted'in the rotary spindle. "The outside diameter ofthecollet tube 33 is smaller or lessthanthe inside diameter of the spindleshell 20. 'When a warpedj'elongated workpiece is inserted 'in' themachine, the workpiece .is rotated by the collet "chuck "at the forwardend of the machine or next t'o'the p'ad's 29. In Figure 3 of mydrawings,I illustrate a spacing between 'the' feed 'tube'fill andthe collet tube30. In the 'actual'construction of the machine which I have "built; thisspace need be only a fewf'sixteenths of an inch 'to' permit the feedtube to whip about with the whipping movement of thetail' end of theworkpiece.

The spring type chucking mechanism H which operates the'collet21'torotate the workpiecefis disposed between the back'wall l6 ofthehead' structure] l flfand"t he' back housing structure I'll.Thi's''spring type chucking mechanism 31 has a ho'using"3 5 carried by'the spindle shell 20; A plurality of chucking'sprihgs' 36, axiallyaligned Withthespindle' shell '20"arej carried within this housing 35;'A'c'o'llet tube plate'3'1 extends about the spindle shell 20 and ismovable axially into the housing "35 and against'fthe urging. of thechucking springs 36; 'This"collet tube plate 31 may be fastened 'to'thehousing'35 by bolts: 38 which extend through thechucking springs 36 andthe wall ojfl the' housing -35" and. are

- threaded Iinto the' colletftube plate; The chucking fsprings 13surgerhe .collet' tube-plate '31 axially'of the spindle shell 20 andtowards t e back housing II. I .have further provided the collettubewith a thrust nu 39 which is threaded onto'theend ofthe collet tube.Thrust roller bearings '40, space this thrust nut 39 from the comettubeplate 31.

"I'he thrust nut/39 is fastened to the collettube plate 33!,by bolts 4jwhereby thecollet tubeplate 31 rotates with the thrust nut 39 and thecollet tube 30. The chucking springs 36 urge the collet tubeplate 31 outof the housing 35 to keep the collet chuck 21 gripping the workpieceheld thereby. A thrust ring 42 extends about the thrust nut 39 and isaxially movable to compress the chucking springs 36 in the spring typechucking mechanism 3|.- This thrust ring 42 is pivotally carried by acradle 43.- A chucking cam 44 is provided to actuate and move thischucking cradle 43 to compress the chucking springs and open thechucking collet 21. This chucking cam 44 is carried by a cam shaft 86and is coordinated with the workpiece support and feed mechanism in suchmanner that the workpiece will be moved endwise into the chucking colletwhile the chucking collet is open.

A hand wheel I02 carried by a shaft I03 may be actuated to move thechucking cradle 43. The shaft I03 is carried by the cradle 43 andengages the head structure I0. This hand wheel I02 per mits manualoperation, of the chucking mechanism when the machine is not inoperation.

- The workpiece support and feed mechanism I3, best illustrated inFigures 1 and 3, is disposed in axial alignment with the rotatablespindle and between the head structure If! and the back housingstructure I I of my machine. I have provided parallel track members 53extending between the head structure and the back housing structure tosupport the workpiece support and feed mechanism I3 for movement towardsand away from the head structure rotary spindle. In the machine which Ihave constructed and which is illustrated in the drawings as thepreferred embodiment of my invention, I have used cylindrical orelongated rods for the parallel track members 53. The track members havethreads on the ends thereof and may thus be threaded into the headstructure I and extend through an opening in the back housing structureII. Lock nuts I disposed on each side of the back housing structure IIprevent loosening of the track members 50.

My workpiece support and feed mechanism I3 generally comprises a rollerbearing unit 52 operably socketed in a socket 53. In Figures 5, 6, and 1I illustrate my roller bearing unit 52 as being constructed from taperedroller bearing races 54 and 55 mounted in a housing 56. This bearinghousing 56 has a socket ring or flange 51 extending 'thereabout andadapted to be seated in the socket 53. The socket ring 51 has a radiussurface 58 on one side thereof, and a radius surface 59 on the otherside. These radius surfaces 58 and 59 engage the socket 53 and arecurved to permit slight wobbling or rocking of the bearing unit 52 inthe socket 53. I have fastened a feed tube 66 to the inside of theroller bearing unit 52 and to the housing thereof, 55. This feed tube 60extends through the spring type chucking mechanism 3I and into th collettube 36 terminatin at the chucking collet 21. The feed tube 60 isslidable axially relative to the collet tube and the chucking collet tofeed the workpiece endwise into the chucking collet.

I have found it preferable to provide this feed tube 60 with a workpiecepad 6I (see Figure 3) which engages the workpiece. By using theseworkpiece pads 6| inside the feed tube 60 I do not have to have a feedtube for each diameter workpiece which will be run through the machine.If a small diameter workpiece is to be machined the pad 6| is replacedby a larger pad which will grip the smaller workpiece. The feed tube 60and the roller bearing races 54 rotate with the workpiece and thus withthe chucking collet 21.

The socket 53, illustrated in Figure 5, which supports the rollerbearing unit or feed slide 52, is constructed from a socket housing 65and a. socket cap 66. The socket housing 65 defines a socket surface 61on the inside thereof toengage the radius surface 53 on the socket ring51. The socket cap 66 is bolted to the socket housing 65, and thus formsthe other side of the socket. I have inserted a ring 68 in the sockethousing-65 and have provided this ring 68 with a socket sur-; face 69 toengage the radius surface59 of the socket ring 51 on the feed slide orroller bearing unit 52; The ring 68 is slidable in the housing 65towards and away from the socket surface 61. Pressure springs 10 aremounted in aligned recesses in the socket cap 66 and the ring 68 to urgethe ring 68 towards the socket surface 61 of the socket housing 65.

The socket housing 65 illustrated in Figure 3 is carried by a truck 12which rolls on the parallel track members 58. The truck 12 has top truckWheels 13 which rest on the track members 50, and has bottom truckwheels 14 which are carried along underneath the track members 56.,These top and bottom'truck wheels 13 and 14 on the truck 12 movablysupport the workpiece support and feed mechanism I3 for movement alongthe track members 56 towards and away from the head structure III of themachine. When the workpiece support feed mechanism I3 is 'moved towardsthe head structure I3 a workpiece supported thereby is moved endwiseinto the chucking collet 21 by the feed tube 66 which extends into therotary spindle. When the workpiece support and feed mechanism I3 ismoved away from the head structure I0 and towards the back housingstructure II; the feed tube 60 slides overthe workpiece which is held bythe chucking collet 21.

In Figure 5 of my drawings I illustrate the position of the componentparts of the workpiece support and feed mechanism I3 when the work:piece is true and is not warped or out of alignment. In observing thedrawing it is noted the roller bearing unit 52 is alignably seated inthe socket 53. However, when a warped workpiece is put into the machinethe bearing unit 52 must be allowed to whip or move with the workpiece.In Figures 6 and 7 I illustrate positions of the bearing unit in thesockets in exaggerated whipping position. Even though the workpiece iswhipping, and thus the bearing unit 52 is carried about thereby, it isstill supported by the socket 53. The ring 66 and the pressure spring 10in the socket 53 always maintains a contact between the bearing ring'51and the inner surfaces of the socket housing 65. I have discovered thatby using this roller bearing unit-so that the feed slide rotates withthe workpiece and by using the socket 53 to support the roller bearingunit, the workpiece is allowed to whip while it is rotating and yet doesnot build up tremendous whipping forces which would damage machines. Theworkpiece also does not have a chance to build up a force before itengages the socket; thus a very large and heavy workpiece may besupported.

As is illustrated in Figure 3, a spring abutment member 16 is fastenedto the back housing structure II and encloses the end of the spring tube15 which extends beyond the back housing structure. A feed slide spring11 is operably carried by this spring tube 15 and abuts the springabutment member 1-6 and the truck 12 to urge the truck 12 and'theieedingmechanism therewith towards the chucking collet. The spring H has astrength great enough to expand lengthwise to feed the workpiece endwiseinto the. chucking collet. I have provided a .cam mechanism associatedwith the truck 12' to. compress the spring and thereby move the feedslide mechanism awayfrom the chucking collet in readiness to movetheworkpiece endwise into the chucking collet. This cammechanismcomprises a feed cam 18 and a feed cam. roller 19: engaging the feed cam'18; The feed cam 18 is. carried by a suitable cam shaft 80 extendingfrom the head. lrll towards the back housingstructure. H. The cam shaft80. may berotated bygany suitable means, and, as is shown in the workingdiagram of Figure 8,.is synchronously connected .with the operationofthe working tools and chuck collet. The feed cam roller 139-; isrotatably carried by the. truck 12 and engages the-reed cam 7 8. Whenthe feed cam18. is ro tatecl' the truck 'IZis moved on the track- 50towards-the. back housing H and away from the collet.

In Figure 8 of my. drawing I illustrate symbolically my workpiecesupport and 'feeding mechanism including the stock stop. and thechuckingcollet. In this drawing, I diagrammatically illustrate therotary spindle H:,, which has the drive gear 25, rotated through apinion gear-95 by. a suitable driving unit 96. Thedriving unit 95 is.symbolically.illustratedias being connected to thepinion gear 95: bydash-dot lines 91-. A second pinion gear 98; also engaging the drivinggear, 25 drives the camshaft .811 through: suitable gearing and drivemeans illustrated by the dash-dot lines and the gear; box; 99. Thestock'stop is also illustrated as being operated, through a rackand-gear mechanism 85, controlled by a stock stop cam 86 which iscarried by the-cam ha tfifi-r he workpiece din mechanism-.113 a lllnttat dla be n ymbo cal y.connected--an pe a ed. b h eed. mlfi: by: meamfdash 9!: line. land; he: chucki me hanism; 3 l is: symbolicallyconnected to thechucking cam; 44: br-the ashe ine Hil- The completeoperation of the machine-may; be. easily. followed by referring; to the:Figure; 9

l-p nd a diagram of thestock-stop-chucb ing and the workpiece feedingmechanism. The

- complete: cycle ofoperation of the machine ;oc--

curs-during one rotation; of 3 the cam shaft 811; and thus onerotationof eachofthje: cams 44., :18', and 85. Following through. the;cam: diagram ure;9,- it is;illustratedthatwhen the mais il'i- ODQQQQOXIthestock -stop isfirst low- Fd; eeneage the; w rkpiec when it" is;.movedendwise into the chucking collet: .Whilewthe stock stopis-in thislowered position. the chuck-. etis opening to;,'release the-.vwcjrkpiece-to otheworkpiece togbe-moved end-wise anda ti hefi eoh to 14.; The cam l'flsmoves he kp ceasnnnortc and; eed; mechanism. alonthetrack ;5ll;towards;the 1back housing. H in read-u mess-for; movingthe Work-piece forward into-:the chuckingcolletl Further rotationoof thecams shaft. 80, permits the. feed spring 11 5 to expand; thus moving theworkpiece feeding mechanism towards thehead-l 0 to move the workpieceinto the: chuckingcol-let and against the feed or stock stop fl' l Afterthe .workpiecehas. been -moved; endwise-the chuqking cam ii-permits. thechuck-. ing. collet to closeon the workpiece; and the stock stop canfifira'isesthe, stock; stop fl so thait- -the;

workpiece may be machined. After the workpiece has been machined and thefinished product cut-' fro m the end th'er eof, this complete cycle ofagain moving the workpiece end-wise is repeated! The wholec'ycl'eincluding the machining and the chucking of the workpiece maythus be a. continuous and automatic cycle.

Although the invention has been described with a certain degree of.particularity in its preferred form, it is understood that thepr'e'sentdisclosure of the preferred form. has been made only .by. way.of example and that; numerous changes. in the. details. ofconstruction.and the combination and arrangement of parts. may. be resorted towithoutdeparting from theyspirit and the. scope of the; invention; ashereinafter claimed.

What,.-is;claimedis 1.. In a mechanism. for rotatably supporting'anelongated workpiece, a rotary spindle; having; "a.

' col-letI tube..- with. arco'llet; tracle means. extendinglongitudinally, fromthe; spindle,v a socket carriedi by the. track;meansland disposed in. axial alignmentmwith the 'spind1e:.:for.reciprocal movement toward: and away from the collet, said socket havingmopposed: in'ner bearingsurface means; a ringhavingqouter contactsurface means rockabl-y-fitting. between said. opposed inner bearingsurface means of: said socket, a food tube connected to and, supported:by isaidsrin'g. in. axial alignment with the spindle,- said .feedtubejbeingwi'thin the collet. tube and. spaced: therefrom and receivin'gand.supporting the. workpiece in substantial alignment. withthe collet: andhaving rneans to grip. the workpiece to. move the same longitudr'nallyint'o the collet. upon longitudinal movement of" the socket; andring towardthecollet,- saiid opposed inner bearing surface means orsaiasocket .compri'sing first and second inner bearing surfaces divergingl'ydisposed with-respect to-eachother, said oute'r contact" surface meansof. saidring comprisingfirst and second outer contacting; surfaces.converging-1y disposed with respe'ct"to each other and fittingrespectively against said firstv and second: inner bearing surfacesof's'a'id socket, said. second inner bearing sulra'ce be-inglongitudinally. mov-ably rnoun'ted with' respect jto said first innerbearing surface, said ring being laterallyandfrockablir'movabledn'saidsocket and permitting. whipping-movements ofsaid f'eed tu'lie and the workpiece therein upon l ngitudin'aI movementofsaid secondinner-bearing surface with respect to the first innerbearingsurface -and resilient means urging said second innerb'earing;

surfacelongitudinally towardsaid first" inner bearing-surface andtherebyresiliently and-*rock ably-supporting. said ring withinsaid-socket to permit said whipping movements'of the feed-tube and {theworkpiecethereinl l 2. In a mechanismforrotata'bly supportingan'elongated workpiece; a rotary-Q spindle having a col-letftube with atoilet; track-'- means extending longitudinally fro'lr'lthe spindle;asocke't carriedby; the "track-means "and-disposed in axialalignment-withthespin'dle for reciprocal movement toward and away fromthecollet, said sockethaw ing-opposed inner bearing surface means;aring. having outer contactsurface means rockably fit= ting between saidopposed inner bearing surface means of said sock'et; a feed tubeconnected 'to-and supported 1 by..saidi ring in axial alignment with thespindle, said feed 'tube beingwithin the collet tubelandspaced therefromand-receiving and sup= porting. the. workpiece; in substantialalignnl'ent with. the. collet and having means --togrip -th'eworkpieceto move the same longitudinally into the collet upon longitudinalmovement of the socket and ring toward the collet, said opposed innerbearing surface means of said socket comprising first and second innerbearing surfaces divergingly dispose-d with respect to each other, saidouter contact surface means of said ring comprising first and secondouter contacting surfaces convergingly disposed with respect to eachother and fitting respectively against said first and second innerbearing surfaces of said socket, said second inner bearing surface beinglongitudinally movably mounted with respect to said first inner bearingsurface, said ring being laterally and rockably movable in said socketand permitting whipping movements of said feed tube and the workpiecetherein upon longitudinal movement of said second inner bearing surfacewith respect to the first inner bearing surface, resilient means urgingsaid second inner bearing surface longitudinally toward said first innerbearing surface and thereby resiliently and rockably supporting saidring within said socket to permit said whip,- ping movements of the feedtube and the workpiece therein, and spring feed means engaging thesocket to move the same including the ring and the feed tube therewithalong the track means towards the collet to feed the workpiece endwisethrough the spindle and into the collet.

3. In a mechanism for rotatably supporting an elongated workpiece, arotary spindle having a collet tube with a collet, track means extendinglongitudinally from the spindle, a socket carried by the track means anddisposed in axial alignment with the spindle for reciprocal movementtoward and away from the collet, said socket having opposed innerbearing surface means, a ring having outer contact surface meansrockably fitting between said opposed inner bearing surface means ofsaid socket, a feed tube connected to and supported by said ring inaxial alignment with the spindle, said feed tube, being within saidcollet tube and spaced therefrom and receiving and supporting theworkpiece in substantial alignment with the collet and having means togrip the workpiece to move the same longitudinally into the collet uponlongitudinal movement of the socket and ring toward the collet, saidopposed inner bearing surface means of said socket comprising first andsecond inner bearing surfaces divergingly' disposed with respect to eachother, said outer contact surface means of said ring comprising firstand second outer contacting surfaces convergingly disposed with respectto each other and fitting respectively against said first and secondinner bearing surfaces of said socket, said second inner bearing surfacebeing longitudinally movably mounted with respect to said first innerbearing surface, said ring being laterally and rockably movable in saidsocket and permitting whipping movements of said feed tube and theworkpiece therein upon longitudinal movement of said second innerbearing surface with respect to the first inner bearing surface,resilient means urging said second inner bearing surface longitudinallytoward said first inner bearing surface and thereby resilientlyandlrockably supporting said ring within said socket to permit saidwhipping movements of the feed tube and the workpiece therein, springfeed means engaging the socket to move the same including the ring andthe feed tube therewith along the track means towards the collet to feedthe workpiece endwise through the spindle and into the collet, and cammeans operably associated with the socket to compress the spring feedmeans and thereby move the said socket including the ring and the feedtube therewith along the track means away from the collet in readinessfor another feeding movement.

I 4. In a mechanism for rotatably supporting an elongated workpiece, arotary spindle having a collet tube with a collet, track means extendinglongitudinally from the spindle, a socket carried by the track means anddisposed in axial alignment with the spindle for reciprocal movementtoward and away from the collet, said socket having opposed innerbearing surface means, a ring having outer contact surface meansrockably fitting between said opposed inner bearing surface means ofsaid socket, a feed tube bearingly connected to and supported by saidring in axial alignment with the spindle, said feed tube being withinsaid collet tube and spaced therefrom and receiving and supporting theworkpiece in substantial alignment with the collet and having means togrip the workpiece to move the same longitudinally into the collet uponlongitudinal movement of the socket and ring toward the collet, saidopposed inner hearing surface means of said socket comprising first andsecond inner bearing surfaces divergingly disposed with respect to eachother, said outer contact surface means of said ring comprising firstand second outer contacting surfaces convergingly disposed with respectto each other and fitting respectively against said first and secondinner bearing surfaces of said socket, said second inner bearing surfacebeing longitudinally movably mounted with respect to said first innerbearing surface, said ring being laterally and rockably movable in saidsocket and permitting whipping movements of said feed tube and theworkpiece therein upon longitudinal movement of said second innerbearing surface with respect to the first inner bearing surface, andresilient means urging said second inner bearing surface longitudinallytoward said first inner bearing surface and thereby resiliently androckably supporting said ring within said socket to permit said whippingmovements of the feed tube and the workpiece therein.

5. In a machine for rotatably supporting an elongated and warpedworkpiece, the provision of, a housing, a collet tube journaled in saidhousing, a feed tube co-axially aligned with and spaced from said collettube, tracks on said housing extending longitudinally of said feed tube,and socket and ring means movable as a unit on said tracks and bearinglyand resiliently supporting said feed tube for reciprocal movementlongitudinally of said collet tube, said socket means having first andsecond opposed bearing surfaces between which said ring means fits, saidsecond bearing surface being movable toward and away from said firstbearing surface and providing variable distances between said opposedbearing surfaces, resilient means urging said second bearing surfacetoward said first bearing surface, said ring means rockably fittingbetween said opposed bearing surface and accommodating axialmis-alignment between said feed tube and said collet tube.

6. In a machine for rotatably supporting an elongated and warpedworkpiece, the provision of, a housing, a collet tube journaled in saidhousing, a feed tube co-axially extending within and spaced from saidcollet tube, tracks on said housing extending longitudinally of saidfeed tube, andresilient, self-;aligning bearing means reciprocallymovable on said tracks and'bearingly and rockably supporting said feedtube, said bearing means comprising socket and ring means, said socketmeans having first and secondfo p posed bearing surfaces between whichsaid ring means fits, said second bearing: surface being movable towardand away from said first bearing surface and providing variabledistancesbetween said opposed bearing surfaces, resilient means urgingsaid second bearing surface toward said first bearing surfacesaid ring.means rockably fitting between said opposed bearing surface andaccommodating axial mis-aligninent between said feed tube and saidcollet tubes .7

7. In a. machine for rotatably supporting an elongated and warpedworkpiece, the provision of, a housing, tracks on said housing, a collettube journaled in said housing in parallel alignment with said tracks, atruck movable on said tracks, a socket. comprising a housing and acap'carried byf said truck, va socket ring .mounted between said sockethousing and said cap pressure spring means cooperating with said cap andpressing same against said socket ring to resiliently .hold the same insaid socket housing, and hearing unit rotatably bearingedin said socketring, a feed tube carried by said bearingunit, said feed tube extendingwithin and spaced from said collet tube whereby onelend of a: warpedworkpiece inserted in the machine is carried by the collet tube and theother end is-carried by thefeed tube, said socket, ringrockably fittingbetween said, socket. housing and said cap and accommodating axialmis-alignment between said feed tube and said collet tube. g

8.7 In a machine for'rotatablysupporting an elongated workpiece theprovision: of, a; hous ing, tracks on said housing, a collet tubejournaled in said housing in parallel alignment with 40 saidtracks, atruck movable on said tracks, a socket. carried by said'truck, saidsocket having opposed inner bearing surface means, a ring; hav- 12 ing;outer contact surface. means rockably fitting between said, opposedinnerbearing surface means: of, said socket, ahbearing unit rotatablybearingedmin' said ring, 'a feed. tube carried by said'bearin'g unitsaidfeed tube extending within an'dspaced ifrom'said collet .tubewhereby one end of.a workpieceinserted in the machine is carried bythe-collet tube and the other end is carried. by I the feedfltube, saidopposed inner bearing surface means. of saidsocketcompris'ing firstandsecondlinner bearing surfaces diverg ingly dis'posed'with respect toeach. other, said outer contact surface means of. said ring coni-vprising first and. second'out'er contacting surfaces converging'lydisposed. with respect to each other and fitting. respectively againstsaid first and sec; ond inner'bearing surfaces of said. socketisaidsecond inner. bearing surface being longitudinally moyably' mounted withrespect. to said first inner bearing surface, said ring being laterally.and rockably" movable in c said. socket. and. permittingwhippingjmovements. of said. feed'tube and the workpiece f therein uponlongitudinal,v movement of saidsecond inner bearing surface withrespctto the first inner bearingfsurface, and resilient means .urging saidsecond inner bearingsurface' longitudinally toward said first innerbearing surf face and thereby resiliently and ro'ckably' sup portingsaid ring within saidsocket to permit said whipping movements of thefeed tube and the workpiece therein. V r ALFRED E. DRISSNER.

' REFERENCES/CITED" The following references are of record in -th'e fileof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

